Why Learn Another Language?

Welcome! ¡Bienvenidos! Bienvenue!

Are you ready for a fun and challenging learning experience? The Department of World Languages at CBC has dedicated faculty who possess an invaluable amount of teaching experience and knowledge with which to prepare students with educational and career opportunities in languages in the United States and abroad. Our World Languages Department believes that students with an international understanding of culture, coupled with competency in a second language, will be better equipped to meet the professional challenges of the 21st century.

The Department of World Languages at CBC currently offers programs in French, Japanese, and Spanish. We are committed to providing language and cultural instruction to enhance your studies, travel experiences, and professional growth. We accomplish this by using a communicative approach, through the use of media and technology, strategic student placement, and textbook selections.

On behalf of the World Languages Department, I invite you to learn a new language at CBC.

Among current employer outlook trends in the United States, those individuals who have bilingual skills will have a clear advantage in an increasingly competitive labor market. More employers are inclined to hire bilingual candidates when two equally qualified candidates are competing for one job. In other words, those employees who have language and cultural diversity as part of their skills set, definitely help their respective businesses and organizations adapt and survive in a multicultural world.

Learning a new language also provides you with a key to unlock new worlds. Think of all the genres of music, literature, the understanding of heritage, and personal relationships that you have acquired through your understanding English. Without English, you would not be able to fully appreciate the lyrics by your favorite artists, or poetry in its original text, or the diverse perspectives of many world societies that share the English language. Now imagine what new worlds await you by learning French, Japanese, or Spanish at Columbia Basin College. Many students who have learned a language at CBC experience incredible success stories made possible with their new language skills. From traveling the world, to deciding to double major in a language, to connecting with the local community with new ears and eyes, to making new friends, the lives of students who master a world language have been enriched in so many ways.

So you say you can already speak a second language? Well, let CBC help you improve your literacy and cultural proficiency in the target language. More employers are recognizing the difference between being just bilingual, and being both bilingual and biliterate. Being able to read and write in a language, and even translate and interpret accurately, are all skills that are crucial for professional careers. Many native speakers take language courses at CBC precisely to learn the differences between formal and informal vocabulary, to refine their spelling, to increase their research and compositional skills, or to learn more about their heritage. Because language is intrinsically tied to culture, studying languages at CBC will also expose you to diverse language communities who share the same language. Students of French learn about the geography, heritage, and traditions of the francophone world. Students of Spanish can learn more about the heritage and Spanish spoken by Latinos in the United States, as well as the cultural and linguistic patterns in the various, Spanish-speaking countries.

All of our language courses are accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, and as such ensure that the language credits earned at CBC transfer to public four-year colleges and universities in Washington state. Many transfer programs require a full year of a foreign language. Taking a world language at Columbia Basin College makes sound financial sense when compared to the cost of taking it at larger colleges and universities. Additionally, our veteran faculty members focus primarily on language instruction.

Not Sure Where to Start?

Check our our Placement Guide to help you determine which language course may best suit your level.

If you have prior foreign language experience, such as taking high school level courses, you may be able to earn up to five prior learning credits. View our Prior Learning Credit Checklist for more information.

For questions or comments about this page, please contact: World Languages, Phone: 509-544-4914